Here is another quick and easy dessert recipe to add to your arsenal. The key ingredient is fresh strawberries, which are pretty much available nearly year-round in Southern California. They are prime for eating as the weather begins to warm in spring and summer, so now is the time to start stocking up on the big, red berries. The other ingredient you’ll need is some fresh whipped cream and chocolate sandwich cookies. Oreos are the best of course. Grab a family-size bag, and start layering!

There are few desserts easier than a trifle, and that makes it a fantastic option when short on time. How ironic that the word’s literary root means “of little importance” because there is nothing more important to any cook than saving time. The trifle has historical culinary roots tracing back to the United Kingdom during the 1700s, and the sweet dish would often include layers of sponge cake, fortified wine like port or sherry, fruit, custard and cream.

Of course, you can design a trifle to your liking, and this one utilizes strawberries, Oreos and whipped cream. Macerating the berries in sugar creates a syrup that seeps into the layers and softens the cookies, creating various levels of texture in each bite. Be sure to use a deep glass bowl or trifle dish, so everyone can see what you have going on. This trifle was stacked in a punch bowl, and it was a perfect fit.

Feel free to play around with this recipe, or create your own trifle recipe. What would be your favorite combination?